Learning About Solar Power in South Sudan: An International Collaboration

Abstract

More than 1 billion people in the world currently live in energy poverty. Solar energy has vast potential for South Sudan but there are challenges to implementing it. How can students and others such as technicians learn about the context of South Sudan and the particular engineering challenges for utilizing its abundant sunlight to provide energy? We capitalized on a unique opportunity to conduct an international collaboration between a solar power entrepreneur in South Sudan and an engineering professor in the USA to explore this topic. As part of an undergraduate independent study course, we designed two modules (introductory and advanced) on off-grid solar power for South Sudan. Meetings were held over zoom during the summer of 2020. The student brought his practical experience of owning and operating a solar energy company in South Sudan. The instructor brought her experience in developing educational materials. Each module included learning objectives, content, and exercises. Topics included Introduction to energy access in South Sudan, Principles of Electricity and Solar Energy Generation, Building blocks of a solar power system, Architecture of various solar power systems, Solar Company, and Design of Off-Grid PV Systems. Particular challenges for photovoltaics in South Sudan were highlighted. Finally, examples were drawn from the student's experience with designing and installing solar power systems for customers in South Sudan to demonstrate the proper integration of the various components to meet a particular power need for a customer. In this work in progress, we introduce the context of solar energy in South Sudan, and describe the course, the modules designed, and lessons learned. These modules offer an opportunity for students in the USA and elsewhere to expand their global engineering mindset by learning about the context of South Sudan which few may have the opportunity to visit. We are continuing to improve these modules and welcome feedback from others in the larger community.